Woodland Mills HM126 tracking problem

[clintnelms]

Anyone ever had tracking issues? I know how to adjust the tracking. The problem I'm having is on the right drive wheel side. I can make a minor adjustment,  1/4 inch turn or even less, and the blade travels too far forward on that side. Adjust it again the opposite way and it travels too far back on the wheel. That's spinning by hand after torquing the tension to 35 ft lbs. Left non-drive wheel is tracking fine. I can't seem to find the sweet spot. Never had this problem in the past. No matter how little I turn the adjustment nuts it just won't track correctly. Any ideas? The mill is about a year or so old. I've probably milled less than 20 logs. Only went through 10 blades since I've had it so it's not been used a lot. I say that because I've wondered if it's a bad bearing wheel on that side, but seems like I haven't had enough usage for that yet. Spent all day on Saturday trying to get it adjusted and never could get it to track flush with the back of the wheel.

[fishfighter]

It could be a bad bearing. I have well over 250 hours on mine and haven't any problem. I would call them Mondays morning and ask them. I'm sure they will have an answer and help.

[Kbeitz]

Bad blade or maybe you lost you'r crown.

[clintnelms]

I tried a new blade and still same problem. What do you mean by crown?

[Kbeitz]

The top of your wheels that the blade ride on should be cupped outward.
Kinda like a little hill in the middle of the wheel.



 

[btulloh]

How's the belt on that side?  Might need replacing.  Check the drive belt and tension also.

[sawmilljoe]

Sounds like a bad bearing change them should fix your problem

[Slingshot]

   

Might try a slight adjustment on the vertical  tilt; If you haven't
tried that.

[Briankinley2004]

Did you move blade guides back to make sure they aren't pushing the blade off?

[clintnelms]

Did you move blade guides back to make sure they aren't pushing the blade off?

Yes, made sure nothing was touching the blade.

[pineywoods]

Don't know about Woodland mills, but have seen that problem other places. Bad bandwheel bearings. Try this...adjust to where it sorta tracks, then change the band tension a bit, either up or down. If the tracking changes, it's likely a bad bearing. Most mills use 2 in each bandwheel, one good and the other bad will cause lots of angst.

[clintnelms]

Don't know about Woodland mills, but have seen that problem other places. Bad bandwheel bearings. Try this...adjust to where it sorta tracks, then change the band tension a bit, either up or down. If the tracking changes, it's likely a bad bearing. Most mills use 2 in each bandwheel, one good and the other bad will cause lots of angst.

Thanks pineywoods. I'll try that. Never thought to adjust the tension and see if it moves. Talked to Woodland Mills this morning and he gave me a few suggestions to try. Gotta check the belt and make sure it's not worn down to where the blade is riding on the wheel itself. Don't think so though. Pretty sure I changed it not long ago. They're also sending me a new spring washer kit that replaces a silicon bushing for tension. More to come I guess.

[fishfighter]

By removing the drive belt, spinning the wheel, you might be able to feel if there is a bad bearing.

[clintnelms]

By removing the drive belt, spinning the wheel, you might be able to feel if there is a bad bearing.

I actually did do that, but it seemed to spin fine to me. Same as the other side.

[Kbeitz]

Sounds like on your machine the belt is your crown.

[clintnelms]

Well I finally figured out what the problem was. They sent me the new spring washers. Big improvement over the bushing. Sent it to me for free too. Wasn't the problem though. I took the belt off to look at it and it still looked new. Decided to say the hell with it and put the old one back on. Come to find out the new one that was on there was not quite the same belt. This was the belt they sent me in the parts kit. It was a little narrower and the V grooves were not quite as big as the old one. Put the old one back on, problem solved.

[ChugiakTinkerer]

Great to hear you got it worked out.

Now how dos that saying go?  If it aint broke... 

[clintnelms]

After I got it fixed this afternoon I had a little time and sawed up a cant. I just got my blades back from a local guy I found that sharpens blades. He worked for woodmizer since 1991 sharpening and retired a year or so ago and does it on the side now. These blades cut better than they did brand new. I can't see any saw markes. Looks like the cant was sanded smooth. I was very impressed. At $7 a blade and about 10 miles up the road I'll be using him from now on for sure. He sure can talk though. Kept me there almost an hour when I picked them up just rambling about everything. Very nice guy though.

[Savannahdan]

Glad you got the problem taken care of.  Also, my chainsaw guy is talkative like your sharpening guy.  I plan on at least a 30-45 minute visit when I go to his shop.  Also, I need to visit George L. Smith State Park and check out the fishing.  PM me if you know of it and have some recommendations.
Dan
Happy St. Patrick's Day

[clintnelms]

Glad you got the problem taken care of.  Also, my chainsaw guy is talkative like your sharpening guy.  I plan on at least a 30-45 minute visit when I go to his shop.  Also, I need to visit George L. Smith State Park and check out the fishing.  PM me if you know of it and have some recommendations.
Dan
Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hey Dan. No sorry can't say I've ever been to that State Park. Where's it at?

[fishfighter]

Well I finally figured out what the problem was. They sent me the new spring washers. Big improvement over the bushing. Sent it to me for free too. Wasn't the problem though. I took the belt off to look at it and it still looked new. Decided to say the hell with it and put the old one back on. Come to find out the new one that was on there was not quite the same belt. This was the belt they sent me in the parts kit. It was a little narrower and the V grooves were not quite as big as the old one. Put the old one back on, problem solved.

Good to hear this. My replacement belts that I buy local are Gates belts. Much better then the stock belts that came with the mill. In fact, when my mill was about a month old, I called them reporting that the stock belt was breaking up. They sent me a new set of Gate belts for free. Now that is service after the sale. ;D Some good people over there. ;D

[clintnelms]

[/quote]


Good to hear this. My replacement belts that I buy local are Gates belts. Much better then the stock belts that came with the mill. In fact, when my mill was about a month old, I called them reporting that the stock belt was breaking up. They sent me a new set of Gate belts for free. Now that is service after the sale. ;D Some good people over there. ;D
[/quote]

The service tech I spoke to recommend I use Gate belts also. Said they tend to hold up better.

[Savannahdan]

Whoops, wrong Woodland owner.  The park is near Metter and Swainsboro. 

[clintnelms]

Well I finally figured out what the problem was. They sent me the new spring washers. Big improvement over the bushing. Sent it to me for free too. Wasn't the problem though. I took the belt off to look at it and it still looked new. Decided to say the hell with it and put the old one back on. Come to find out the new one that was on there was not quite the same belt. This was the belt they sent me in the parts kit. It was a little narrower and the V grooves were not quite as big as the old one. Put the old one back on, problem solved.

Good to hear this. My replacement belts that I buy local are Gates belts. Much better then the stock belts that came with the mill. In fact, when my mill was about a month old, I called them reporting that the stock belt was breaking up. They sent me a new set of Gate belts for free. Now that is service after the sale. ;D Some good people over there. ;D

I called this morning and told them what I found out was wrong and to thank them for sending me the washers and they're sending me a replacement belt for free and i didn't ask them to. You're right, they have fantastic customer service.

[mitchstockdale]

Anyone ever had tracking issues? I know how to adjust the tracking. The problem I'm having is on the right drive wheel side. I can make a minor adjustment,  1/4 inch turn or even less, and the blade travels too far forward on that side. Adjust it again the opposite way and it travels too far back on the wheel. That's spinning by hand after torquing the tension to 35 ft lbs. Left non-drive wheel is tracking fine. I can't seem to find the sweet spot. Never had this problem in the past. No matter how little I turn the adjustment nuts it just won't track correctly. Any ideas? The mill is about a year or so old. I've probably milled less than 20 logs. Only went through 10 blades since I've had it so it's not been used a lot. I say that because I've wondered if it's a bad bearing wheel on that side, but seems like I haven't had enough usage for that yet. Spent all day on Saturday trying to get it adjusted and never could get it to track flush with the back of the wheel.

I had this similar issue when i first received my mill in the late fall...i was following the manual from their website which detailed 35ft-lbs torque so i was torquing the thing to 35ft-lbs but the newer mills with the spring washers only require 25ft-lbs of torque as per the manual that came with my mill and the sticker on the mill..oops !!!!....once i re-adjusted the torque to 25ft-lbs everthing ran nice.

[clintnelms]

I had the bushing at the time. Since then I've replaced it with the new spring washers. So far no problems.

[fishfighter]

I had the bushing at the time. Since then I've replaced it with the new spring washers. So far no problems.

So, what is this spring or bushing you are talking about?

[clintnelms]

The Mills prior to 2017 had a urethane bushing on the T handle that you torque for blade tension. The 2017 models come with 4 sets of spring washers instead of the bushing. Changes the torque from 35 lbs to 25 lbs. They'll send them to you for free if you call and ask for them. They did for me at least.

[mattyo5]

Even though the belt was the ticket here..my bandwheel bearings went at 300 hours or so....so keep an eye on that and I'd be prepared to swap them around that time.  Check my youtube channel for the vids. 

[Steve67g]

Don't know about Woodland mills, but have seen that problem other places. Bad bandwheel bearings. Try this...adjust to where it sorta tracks, then change the band tension a bit, either up or down. If the tracking changes, it's likely a bad bearing. Most mills use 2 in each bandwheel, one good and the other bad will cause lots of angst.

Thanks pineywoods. I'll try that. Never thought to adjust the tension and see if it moves. Talked to Woodland Mills this morning and he gave me a few suggestions to try. Gotta check the belt and make sure it's not worn down to where the blade is riding on the wheel itself. Don't think so though. Pretty sure I changed it not long ago. They're also sending me a new spring washer kit that replaces a silicon bushing for tension. More to come I guess.

Clint, what came in your spring washer kit?  Which direction does the cup go over the tension bar, facing in or facing out?  Do you use all 12 of them facing the same way?  Mine are over 5 years old, but the Mill caught on fire before I owned it.  I'm wondering if they are still good.  Insight?

[Steve67g]

Don't know about Woodland mills, but have seen that problem other places. Bad bandwheel bearings. Try this...adjust to where it sorta tracks, then change the band tension a bit, either up or down. If the tracking changes, it's likely a bad bearing. Most mills use 2 in each bandwheel, one good and the other bad will cause lots of angst.

Thanks pineywoods. I'll try that. Never thought to adjust the tension and see if it moves. Talked to Woodland Mills this morning and he gave me a few suggestions to try. Gotta check the belt and make sure it's not worn down to where the blade is riding on the wheel itself. Don't think so though. Pretty sure I changed it not long ago. They're also sending me a new spring washer kit that replaces a silicon bushing for tension. More to come I guess.

Clint, what came in your spring washer kit?  Which direction does the cup go over the tension bar, facing in or facing out?  Do you use all 12 of them facing the same way?  Mine are over 5 years old, but the Mill caught on fire before I owned it.  I'm wondering if they are still good.  Insight?

Don't know about Woodland mills, but have seen that problem other places. Bad bandwheel bearings. Try this...adjust to where it sorta tracks, then change the band tension a bit, either up or down. If the tracking changes, it's likely a bad bearing. Most mills use 2 in each bandwheel, one good and the other bad will cause lots of angst.

Thanks pineywoods. I'll try that. Never thought to adjust the tension and see if it moves. Talked to Woodland Mills this morning and he gave me a few suggestions to try. Gotta check the belt and make sure it's not worn down to where the blade is riding on the wheel itself. Don't think so though. Pretty sure I changed it not long ago. They're also sending me a new spring washer kit that replaces a silicon bushing for tension. More to come I guess.

Clint, or maybe someone else can answer this.  I'm brand new & trying to figure out how this forum works, already asked once, but can't find my post.....anyway....!!!  When putting spring washers on the belt tension bar for my WM HM126, do they face in or out?  That is, cups facing in or out?  Do I use all 12 of them?  Just got this mill and it had been in a fire, so lots of rebuilding and learning.  Any insight is greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[thecfarm]

@Steve67g welcome to the forum.
Click on to your user name,or go to your profile,it's on the Menu Bar,the one that starts out with Home Help Search,should be something that say show posts. Click onto that and it will show all of your posts. More things will open up after you have been a member for a while.

[Steve67g]

@clintnelms 

[mitchstockdale]

How often are you HM126 owners changing your drive belts?

I am currently having the same problem as the original poster stated. 

I changed my drive belt back in April with good results but have now noticed the blade is pretty much riding on the metal band wheel...one would think that a belt would maintain its crown and width longer than a couple months.  The belt i used was a BX79 from NAPA.  The red PU follower belt appears to be ok but I think I will be replacing both.  any suggestions on more cost effective options... $44 for the belts from woodland mill is fine but add $25 for shipping thats a bit much for two belts..

[btulloh]

I change mine when they get worn and especially if the blade starts riding on the pulley surface.  They need changing more often than I would have thought.

I have used belts from NAPA and other auto parts stores and Woodland Mills and all seem to last about the same.  I have seen where other people installed brushes to keep the belts clean and I think this would help the overall situation but I haven't done it yet.

https://www.vbelts4less.com/  is a good place to order belts and I use it for lots of my belt purchases.  The pricing is good and I've been happy with the quality.  They have kevlar belts for lawn mowers that are particularly good and a good value.

Tracking has never been a big issue except with some Lennox blades that were not welded straight.  In general, I don't like the Lennos blades but have been very happy with Kasco's.

[mitchstockdale]

I change mine when they get worn and especially if the blade starts riding on the pulley surface.  They need changing more often than I would have thought.

I have used belts from NAPA and other auto parts stores and Woodland Mills and all seem to last about the same.  I have seen where other people installed brushes to keep the belts clean and I think this would help the overall situation but I haven't done it yet.

https://www.vbelts4less.com/  is a good place to order belts and I use it for lots of my belt purchases.  The pricing is good and I've been happy with the quality.  They have kevlar belts for lawn mowers that are particularly good and a good value.

Tracking has never been a big issue except with some Lennox blades that were not welded straight.  In general, I don't like the Lennos blades but have been very happy with Kasco's.

do you still use the red pu follower or do you just run a plain black b57 v-belt? or have you bothered replacing that one?

[btulloh]

Not familiar with the red follower!  Must be a new thing.

The manual says to change both belts at the same time.  Ehhhhhhhh . . . Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.  Just depends on what the idle belt looks like.

[fishfighter]

Not familiar with the red follower!  Must be a new thing.

The manual says to change both belts at the same time.  Ehhhhhhhh . . . Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.  Just depends on what the idle belt looks like.

Same here. ;D

[mitchstockdale]

Not familiar with the red follower!  Must be a new thing.

The manual says to change both belts at the same time.  Ehhhhhhhh . . . Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.  Just depends on what the idle belt looks like.

I have a 2016 model year hm126 and it came with a red polyurethane belt on the follower wheel.... I am assuming you are using just plain old v-belts on your follower.?

[btulloh]

Correct. I'm guessing the red belt lasts longer. Sounds like good thing. They have made changes and improvements since I bought mine. Most times they've been very good about providing these when I was in the warranty period. 

[mitchstockdale]

Correct. I'm guessing the red belt lasts longer. Sounds like good thing. They have made changes and improvements since I bought mine. Most times they've been very good about providing these when I was in the warranty period.

done deal just gunna go with regular belts this time..thanks btulloh.

[jbjbuild]

Hi btulloh, I have the HM126 also, which blade from Kasco do you use.

[btulloh]

I've been using the 7 degree Kasco's.  They seem to work well in SYP, ERC, as well as fresh WO and RO.  I want to try some 4 degree for harder stuff like oak that has been sitting for a while.  My mill came with the 9.5 hp Kohler.  I've sawed 26" WO on it, but certainly more power would be better.  Older oak logs (and hickory) are asking a lot of the 9.5 hp, but generally it's all gotten sawed - just takes a while.

FWIW, I run my guide blocks fairly loose - about a business card thickness spacing.  I set the rollers so they don't make contact with the blade when it's free running, but do make contact when it enters the cut.  Not saying that's the right way or the only way, but it works well for me.

[jbjbuild]

I've been using the 7 degree Kasco's.  They seem to work well in SYP, ERC, as well as fresh WO and RO.  I want to try some 4 degree for harder stuff like oak that has been sitting for a while.  My mill came with the 9.5 hp Kohler.  I've sawed 26" WO on it, but certainly more power would be better.  Older oak logs (and hickory) are asking a lot of the 9.5 hp, but generally it's all gotten sawed - just takes a while.

FWIW, I run my guide blocks fairly loose - about a business card thickness spacing.  I set the rollers so they don't make contact with the blade when it's free running, but do make contact when it enters the cut.  Not saying that's the right way or the only way, but it works well for me.

Thanks! Ive been wanting to try some Kasco blades, but wasn't sure which one to choose with the 9.5 hp. I run my guide blocks the same, I cut up a business card and place one piece above the blade and below the blade and tighten up the guide blocks. I saw mostly Ash, Poplar, Oak & Walnut, so that blade should work well.

[mitchstockdale]

I change mine when they get worn and especially if the blade starts riding on the pulley surface.  They need changing more often than I would have thought.

I have used belts from NAPA and other auto parts stores and Woodland Mills and all seem to last about the same.  I have seen where other people installed brushes to keep the belts clean and I think this would help the overall situation but I haven't done it yet.

https://www.vbelts4less.com/  is a good place to order belts and I use it for lots of my belt purchases.  The pricing is good and I've been happy with the quality.  They have kevlar belts for lawn mowers that are particularly good and a good value.

Tracking has never been a big issue except with some Lennox blades that were not welded straight.  In general, I don't like the Lennos blades but have been very happy with Kasco's.

btulloh,
Got my regular belts from napa and put the follower belt on and man its quite sloppy... when tightening the tension handle the belt leaves the bandwheel by about 1/2" on the opposite side.  Got a B57 per the manual.  Is that what you use for your follower?
mitch

[btulloh]

I'm just using the regular B57s. They also have a gap of 1/2" or more on the side opposite the blade. This is normal and not an issue. 

[mitchstockdale]

I'm just using the regular B57s. They also have a gap of 1/2" or more on the side opposite the blade. This is normal and not an issue.

I got the mill running two nights ago with the new belts and all i can say is wow...its such a pleasure to track the blade now and the blade has a nice ring to it.  I would have never thought that worn out belts could cause such problems.  Replacing the belts not only solved my blade tracking issues but also solved 95% of my wavy lumber issues even with a dull blade.  This is the first "major" service I have done to my mill in 3 years owning it.  Just scratching the surface with learning this sawmill thing i guess..this forum does not cease to amaze me with the wealth of knowledge.

[btulloh]

Three years is a long time.  Glad you got it purring again and sawing straight.  You were probably running on the pulley surface and not the belt after that long.

I've probably been through 15 sets of belts in three years.